Re: [boost] Is Boost interested in the Boost-based Base64 library

Subject: Re: [boost] Is Boost interested in the Boost-based Base64 library
From: Stewart, Robert (Robert.Stewart_at_[hidden])
Date: 2011-06-09 14:55:51

Denis Shevchenko wrote:
>
> I definitely know many developers looking for a simple,
> ready-to-use, header-only and 'real C++' solution for Base64.

I'm not sure how much need there is for Base64....

> Some examples:
>
> int main() {
>      std::string my_text = "My text for encoding!";
>      std::string encoded_text = boost::base64().encode(
>           my_text);
>      std::string my_text_again =
>           boost::base64().decode<std::string>(encoded);
> }
>
> For binary data:
>
> int main() {
>      typedef std::vector< unsigned char > binary_string;
>
>      binary_string my_bin = list_of( 0xFF )( 0xAA )( 0x01 );
>      std::string encoded_bin = boost::base64().encode(
>           my_bin);
>      binary_string my_bin_again =
>           boost::base64().decode<binary_string>(encoded);
> }
>
> For streams:
>
> int main() {
>      boost::filesystem::ifstream my_jpeg(
>           "/some/path/to/my/image");
>      // fstream checking omitted...
>
>      std::string encoded_jpeg =
>           boost::base64().encode(my_jpeg);
>
>      boost::filesystem::ofstream my_jpeg_again(
>           "/some/path/to/decoded/image");
>      // fstream checking omitted...
>
>      boost::base64().decode(encoded_jpeg, my_jpeg_again);
> }

That interface is restrictive.  Why not take iterators and ranges for input and output iterators for output.  That would grant greater flexibility to source and destination: your code would be captured as algorithms.

In the JPEG example, that could mean writing the encoded image straight to disk, instead of to an intermediate string, which would reduce memory pressure, for example.

_____
Rob Stewart                           robert.stewart_at_[hidden]
Software Engineer                     using std::disclaimer;
Dev Tools & Components
Susquehanna International Group, LLP  http://www.sig.com

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